I/O mesh architecture for an industrial automation system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of this invention is industrial automation, and in particular a system for an industrial automation system with input/output interfaces accessible in a mesh architecture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Processing facilities, or industrial plants, are typically managed using industrial automation systems. Example processing facilities include manufacturing plants, chemical plants, crude oil refineries, and ore processing plants. Among other things, industrial automation systems often manage the use of industrial equipment in the processing facilities.

Various process industries have seen constant growth in industrial automation technology. In particular, there is a need to move to more capitally efficient systems and to provide designs that have compatibility with modular unit construction techniques.

However, it is often challenging to provide the necessary level of industrial automation while remaining capitally efficient and providing for modular construction. The disclosure herein provides a system that removes typical field junction boxes and deploys more than the traditional I/O in the field. The disclosure provides a system that is compatible with modular construction. Portions of the system may be built as pre-fabricated modules and then shipped to a deployment site. Minimal effort is then required to connect the field I/O systems to a control center. One advantage of this disclosure allows for both inputs and outputs to be communicated through the mesh architecture of the I/O modules. Specifically, the mesh architecture of the I/O modules provides two-way communication, both the inputs and the outputs, between the I/O modules and the controllers. Another significant advantage provided by the I/O mesh architecture herein allows for field devices to connect to the closest field I/O module via an I/O channel while still allowing the I/O channel to pair with an appropriate controller. Different I/O channels of the same I/O module may be paired with different controllers through the mesh architecture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves a system comprising a plurality of input/output (I/O) interfaces, each I/O interface connected to a plurality of I/O modules, each I/O module comprising a plurality of channels, each channel connected to a field device and configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to the field device, wherein the plurality of channels are connected in a mesh configuration; and a plurality of controllers, wherein each controller is configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to any one of the channels of the mesh configuration. The system may further comprise a supervisory control network configured to receive information and to transmit information to the plurality of controllers. The system may further comprise an I/O network configured to communicate information between the plurality of controllers and the plurality of I/O interfaces, I/O modules and or channels. The field device may be a sensor, actuator, valves, or a processing device. The controller may be an application control system, a field device manager, a remote terminal unit, an embedded controller, a programmable logic controller, a virtual node, or a device for receiving the control information and sending instructions to a field device. The I/O module may further comprise configured fault states for channels and only select channels of an I/O module may be faulted. Connections of the system may comprise Ethernet technology. The I/O modules may be prefabricated and prewired as a module before incorporation into the system. A field device may be connected to a channel of an I/O module that is located geographically close to the field device. At least one I/O interface may be configured to execute basic control functions. At least one I/O interface may be configured to respond to an operator console.

In another embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of input/output (I/O) interfaces connected in a mesh configuration, each I/O interface wirelessly connected to plurality of field devices and configured to receive inputs from and transmit outputs to the field devices; and a plurality of controllers, wherein each controller is configured to receive inputs from and transmit outputs to any one of the field devices through the mesh configuration of I/O interfaces. The field devices can communicate with the I/O interface located geographically close to the field device. At least one I/O interface may be configured to execute basic control functions. At least one I/O interface may be configured to respond to an operator console. The system may further comprise additional I/O interfaces connected to a plurality of I/O modules each having a plurality of channels, the channels connected to additional field devices and all channels configured in a mesh configuration, at least one of the plurality of controllers further connected to at least one channel in the mesh configuration.

In still another embodiment a method comprises configuring a plurality of channels of a plurality of I/O modules in a mesh configuration to form an I/O mesh; communicating inputs from field devices of a plurality of field devices to corresponding channels of the plurality of input/output (I/O) modules; providing the inputs though the I/O mesh to a plurality of controllers, wherein the inputs are communicated to any of the controllers in the plurality of controllers; providing outputs from the plurality of controllers though the I/O mesh to the plurality of channels; wherein the outputs are communicated to any of the channels in the plurality of channels; and communicating the outputs from the channels to the field devices. The inputs may comprise data collected by the field devices and the outputs comprise control strategies provided by the controllers. The method may further comprise pairing a controller with a channel though the I/O mesh. The method may further comprise configuring the I/O modules with fault states for each channel and upon loss of communication with a specific controller and faulting only those channels paired with the specific controller.

Additional objects, embodiments and details of this invention can be obtained from the following drawing and detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates an industrial process control and automation system.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows an exemplary mesh topology at the channel level of the I/O modules.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows an exemplary mesh topology of the I/O modules including the I/O interface and a wireless embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates the interactions and configurations of field devices, channels of I/O devices, and the controllers within an industrial automation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Industrial automation is an important feature of today's industrial processing plants. There is a need for industrial automation systems to continually provide greater flexibility in the implantation and operation of industrial automation systems.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates an example industrial automation system <b>100</b> according to this disclosure. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the system <b>100</b> includes various components that facilitate production or processing of at least one product or other material. For instance, the system <b>100</b> is used here to facilitate control over components in one or multiple plants <b>101</b><i>a</i>-<b>101</b><i>n</i>. Each plant <b>101</b><i>a</i>-<b>101</b><i>n </i>represents one or more processing facilities (or one or more portions thereof), such as one or more manufacturing facilities for producing at least one product or other material. In general, each plant <b>101</b><i>a</i>-<b>101</b><i>n </i>may implement one or more processes and can individually or collectively be referred to as a process system. A process system generally represents any system or portion thereof configured to process one or more products or other materials in some manner.

In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the system <b>100</b> is implemented using the Purdue model of process control. In the Purdue model, “Level 0” may include one or more sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and one or more actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>. The sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and actuators <b>102</b><i>b </i>represent components in a process system that may perform any of a wide variety of functions. For example, the sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>could measure a wide variety of characteristics in the process system, such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate. Also, the actuators <b>102</b><i>b </i>could alter a wide variety of characteristics in the process system. The sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and actuators <b>102</b><i>b </i>could represent any other or additional components in any suitable process system. Each of the sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>includes any suitable structure for measuring one or more characteristics in a process system. Each of the actuators <b>102</b><i>b </i>includes any suitable structure for operating on or affecting one or more conditions in a process system. The sensors and actuators may be generally referred to as field devices.

At least one network <b>104</b> is coupled to the sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>. The network <b>104</b> facilitates interaction with the sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>. For example, the network <b>104</b> could transport measurement data from the sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and provide control signals to the actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>. The network <b>104</b> could represent any suitable network or combination of networks. As particular examples, the network <b>104</b> could represent an Ethernet network, an electrical signal network (such as a HART or FOUNDATION FIELDBUS network), a pneumatic control signal network, or any other or additional type(s) of network(s).

In the Purdue model, “Level 1” may include one or more controllers <b>106</b>, which are coupled to the network <b>104</b>. Among other things, each controller <b>106</b> may use the measurements from one or more sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>to control the operation of one or more actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>. For example, a controller <b>106</b> could receive measurement data from one or more sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and use the measurement data to generate control signals for one or more actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>. Multiple controllers <b>106</b> could also operate in redundant configurations, such as when one controller <b>106</b> operates as a primary controller while another controller <b>106</b> operates as a backup controller (which synchronizes with the primary controller and can take over for the primary controller in the event of a fault with the primary controller). Each controller <b>106</b> includes any suitable structure for interacting with one or more sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and controlling one or more actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>. Each controller <b>106</b> could, for example, represent a multivariable controller, such as a Robust Multivariable Predictive Control Technology (RMPCT) controller or other type of controller implementing model predictive control (MPC) or other advanced predictive control (APC). As a particular example, each controller <b>106</b> could represent a computing device running a real-time operating system.

Two networks <b>108</b> are coupled to the controHers <b>106</b>. The networks <b>108</b> facilitate interaction with the controllers <b>106</b>, such as by transporting data to and from the controllers <b>106</b>. The networks <b>108</b> could represent any suitable networks or combination of networks. As particular examples, the networks <b>108</b> could represent a pair of Ethernet networks or a redundant pair of Ethernet networks, such as a FAULT TOLERANT ETHERNET (FTE) network from HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.

At least one switch/firewall <b>110</b> couples the networks <b>108</b> to two networks <b>112</b>. The switch/firewall <b>110</b> may transport traffic from one network to another. The switch/firewall <b>110</b> may also block traffic on one network from reaching another network. The switch/firewall <b>110</b> includes any suitable structure for providing communication between networks, such as a HONEYWELL CONTROL FIREWALL (CF9) device. The networks <b>112</b> could represent any suitable networks, such as a pair of Ethernet networks or an FTE network.

In the Purdue model, “Level 2” may include one or more machine-level controllers <b>114</b> coupled to the networks <b>112</b>. The machine-level controllers <b>114</b> perform various functions to support the operation and control of the controllers <b>106</b>, sensors <b>102</b><i>a</i>, and actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>, which could be associated with a particular piece of industrial equipment (such as a boiler or other machine). For example, the machine-level controllers <b>114</b> could log information collected or generated by the controllers <b>106</b>, such as measurement data from the sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>or control signals for the actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>. The machine-level controllers <b>114</b> could also execute applications that control the operation of the controllers <b>106</b>, thereby controlling the operation of the actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>. In addition, the machine-level controllers <b>114</b> could provide secure access to the controllers <b>106</b>. Each of the machine-level controllers <b>114</b> includes any suitable structure for providing access to, control of, or operations related to a machine or other individual piece of equipment. Each of the machine-level controllers <b>114</b> could, for example, represent a server computing device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system. Although not shown, different machine-level controllers <b>114</b> could be used to control different pieces of equipment in a process system (where each piece of equipment is associated with one or more controllers <b>106</b>, sensors <b>102</b><i>a</i>, and actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>).

One or more operator stations <b>116</b> are coupled to the networks <b>112</b>. The operator stations <b>116</b> represent computing or communication devices providing user access to the machine-level controllers <b>114</b>, which could then provide user access to the controllers <b>106</b> (and possibly the sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>). As particular examples, the operator stations <b>116</b> could allow users to review the operational history of the sensors <b>102</b><i>a </i>and actuators <b>102</b><i>b </i>using information collected by the controllers <b>106</b> and/or the machine-level controllers <b>114</b>. The operator stations <b>116</b> could also allow the users to adjust the operation of the sensors <b>102</b><i>a</i>, actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>, controllers <b>106</b>, or machine-level controllers <b>114</b>. In addition, the operator stations <b>116</b> could receive and display warnings, alerts, or other messages or displays generated by the controllers <b>106</b> or the machine-level controllers <b>114</b>. Each of the operator stations <b>116</b> includes any suitable structure for supporting user access and control of one or more components in the system <b>100</b>. Each of the operator stations <b>116</b> could, for example, represent a computing device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.

At least one router/firewall <b>118</b> couples the networks <b>112</b> to two networks <b>120</b>. The router/firewall <b>118</b> includes any suitable structure for providing communication between networks, such as a secure router or combination router/firewall. The networks <b>120</b> could represent any suitable, networks, such as a pair of Ethernet networks or an FTE network.

In the Purdue model, “Level 3” may include one or more unit-level controllers <b>122</b> coupled to the networks <b>120</b>. Each unit-level controller <b>122</b> is typically associated with a unit in a process system, which represents a collection of different machines operating together to implement at least part of a process. The unit-level controllers <b>122</b> perform various functions to support the operation and control of components in the lower levels. For example, the unit-level controllers <b>122</b> could log information collected or generated by the components in the lower levels, execute applications that control the components in the lower levels, and provide secure access to the components in the lower levels. Each of the unit-level controllers <b>122</b> includes any suitable structure for providing access to, control of, or operations related to one or more machines or other pieces of equipment in a process unit. Each of the unit-level controllers <b>122</b> could, for example, represent a server computing device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system. Although not shown, different unit-level controllers <b>122</b> could be used to control different units in a process system (where each unit is associated with one or more machine-level controllers <b>114</b>, controllers <b>106</b>, sensors <b>102</b><i>a</i>, and actuators <b>102</b><i>b</i>).

Access to the unit-level controllers <b>122</b> may be provided by one or more operator stations <b>124</b>. Each of the operator stations <b>124</b> includes any suitable structure for supporting user access and control of one or more components in the system <b>100</b>. Each of the operator stations <b>124</b> could, for example, represent a computing device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.

At least one router/firewall <b>126</b> couples the networks <b>120</b> to two networks <b>128</b>. The router/firewall <b>126</b> includes any suitable structure for providing communication between networks, such as a secure router or combination router/firewall. The networks <b>128</b> could represent any suitable networks, such as a pair of Ethernet networks or an FTE network.

In the Purdue model, “Level 4” may include one or more plant-level controllers <b>130</b> coupled to the networks <b>128</b>. Each plant-level controller <b>130</b> is typically associated with one of the plants <b>101</b><i>a</i>-<b>101</b><i>n</i>, which may include one or more process units that implement the same, similar, or different processes. The plant-level controllers <b>130</b> perform various functions to support the operation and control of components in the lower levels. As particular examples, the plant-level controller <b>130</b> could execute one or more manufacturing execution system (MES) applications, scheduling applications, or other or additional plant or process control applications. Each of the plant-level controllers <b>130</b> includes any suitable structure for providing access to, control of, or operations related to one or more process units in a process plant. Each of the plant-level controllers <b>130</b> could, for example, represent a server computing device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.

Access to the plant-level controllers <b>130</b> may be provided by one or more operator stations <b>132</b>. Each of the operator stations <b>132</b> includes any suitable structure for supporting user access and control of one or more components in the system <b>100</b>. Each of the operator stations <b>132</b> could, for example, represent a computing device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.

At least one router/firewall <b>134</b> couples the networks <b>128</b> to one or more networks <b>136</b>. The router/firewall <b>134</b> includes any suitable structure for providing communication between networks, such as a secure router or combination router/firewall. The network <b>136</b> could represent any suitable network, such as an enterprise-wide Ethernet or other network or all or a portion of a larger network (such as the Internet).

In the Purdue model, “Level 5” may include one or more enterprise-level controllers <b>138</b> coupled to the network <b>136</b>. Each enterprise-level controller <b>138</b> is typically able to perform planning operations for multiple plants <b>101</b><i>a</i>-<b>101</b><i>n </i>and to control various aspects of the plants <b>101</b><i>a</i>-<b>101</b><i>n</i>. The enterprise-level controllers <b>138</b> can also perform various functions to support the operation and control of components in the plants <b>101</b><i>a</i>-<b>101</b><i>n</i>. As particular examples, the enterprise-level controller <b>138</b> could execute one or more order processing applications, enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications, advanced planning and scheduling (APS) applications, or any other or additional enterprise control applications. Each of the enterprise-level controllers <b>138</b> includes any suitable structure for providing access to, control of, or operations related to the control of one or more plants. Each of the enterprise-level controllers <b>138</b> could, for example, represent a server computing device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system. In this document, the term “enterprise” refers to an organization having one or more plants or other processing facilities to be managed. Note that if a single plant <b>101</b><i>a </i>is to be managed, the functionality of the enterprise-level controller <b>138</b> could be incorporated into the plant-level controller <b>130</b>.

Access to the enterprise-level controllers <b>138</b> may be provided by one or more operator stations <b>140</b>. Each of the operator stations <b>140</b> includes any suitable structure for supporting user access and control of one or more components in the system <b>100</b>. Each of the operator stations <b>140</b> could, for example, represent a computing device running a MICROSOFT WNDOWS operating system.

Various levels of the Purdue model can include other components, such as one or more databases. The database(s) associated with each level could store any suitable information associated with that level or one or more other levels of the system <b>100</b>. For example, a historian <b>141</b> can be coupled to the network <b>136</b>. The historian <b>141</b> could represent a component that stores various information about the system <b>100</b>. The historian <b>141</b> could, for instance, store information used during production scheduling and optimization. The historian <b>141</b> represents any suitable structure for storing and facilitating retrieval of information. Although shown as a single centralized component coupled to the network <b>136</b>, the historian <b>141</b> could be located elsewhere in the system <b>100</b>, or multiple historians could be distributed in different locations in the system <b>100</b>.

In particular embodiments, the various controllers and operator stations in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> may represent computing devices. For example, each of the controllers could include one or more processing devices <b>142</b> and one or more memories <b>144</b> for storing Instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the processing device(s) <b>142</b>. Each of the controllers could also include at least one network interface <b>146</b>, such as one or more Ethernet interfaces or wireless transceivers. Also, each of the operator stations could include one or more processing devices <b>148</b> and one or more memories <b>150</b> for storing instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the processing device(s) <b>148</b>. Each of the operator stations could also include at least one network interface <b>152</b>, such as one or more Ethernet interfaces or wireless transceivers.

An exemplary mesh topology at the channel level of the I/O modules is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. Enterprise controller <b>138</b>, operator station <b>140</b>, historian <b>141</b>, network <b>136</b>, and controllers <b>106</b> are as described above with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. I/O modules <b>203</b> have multiple channels <b>102</b> which are connected to field devices <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. One I/O module <b>203</b> is shown as further having local control <b>209</b>. For simplicity, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> I/O interfaces are not shown as separate from the I/O modules but shown as a unit. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows the relationship of the I/O modules and the I/O interfaces. It is understood that multiple I/O modules may be associated with a single I/O interface, see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. A I/O network <b>207</b> is shown in addition to network <b>136</b>. I/O network <b>207</b> is a private network. A number of controllers <b>203</b> are connected to I/O network <b>207</b>, while other controllers <b>106</b> and I/O modules <b>203</b> are connected to network <b>136</b>.

Typical field devices allow for monitoring manufacturing processes, such as physical attributes, such as temperatures, pressures, flows, etc., as well as providing control over a process, such as opening/closing valves, increasing/relieving pressures, turning up/down heating or cooling units, etc. There is a need to centralize control and information gathering to improve plant efficiency. Each process in the plant has one or more input characteristics, i.e. process conditions, and one or more output characteristics, i.e. control features.

Some industrial automation systems use a distributed control system (DCS) which is a system of sensors, controllers and associated computers that are distributed throughout an industrial plant. DCS systems use methods such as publish/subscribe and request/response to move data from controllers to client servers and applications at a supervisory level. The DCS provides automated decisions based on processing the data in real time or as modified by users in response to analysis of data collected from running processes.

A limitation of many present industrial automation systems, including DSC systems, is that each controller is dedicated or bound to a specific input/output module and the set of channels and field devices associated with the specific input/output module. Sets of channels and associated field devices are fixed by the I/O module's type, the physical location of the I/O module, or the network location of the I/O module. Flexibility is therefore limited. The present disclosure removes that limitation.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows that the relationship between one controller and a set of I/O channels is no longer a bound relationship of one controller to a specific set of I/O channels defined by one I/O module, but instead shows the I/O channels of multiple I/O modules to be meshed to a set of control nodes, i.e., controllers. The I/O electronics have been decoupled from one specific controller. Specifically, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows the I/O modules each having a plurality of channels at a channel level of the I/O module, where the channels of all the I/O modules are connected in a mesh topology. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, not only have the I/O electronics been decoupled from one specific controller, but with the mesh topology at the channel level of the I/O modules, multiple controllers may be related to a single I/O module and the channels within. Each of the multiple of controllers may be connected to one or more channels of a single I/O module.

The I/O mesh is particularly valuable for engineering efficiency when Universal I/O Modules available from Honeywell Process Solutions are employed. Using technology such as that of the Universal I/O Modules, channel types are software configured. The types available to chose from include analog input, analog output, digital input, and digital output. Suitable Universal I/O is described in US2005/0278144.

Multiple advantages are achieved by employing a mesh architecture to the channels of the I/O modules. I/O modules may be located geographically close to the field devices without regard to which specific controller will use those I/O signals and equipment. This advantage supports the current need to simplify designs by removing field junction boxes and deploying more I/O in the field as compared to traditional Control Center and remote instrument enclosure (RIE) deployments.

Another advantage is the ability to use standard Ethernet as a remoting medium, including switched and ring topologies. Employing standard Ethernet technology may allow for greater flexibility, greater stability and reliability, greater security, greater scalability. Further Ethernet connections provide for higher security at the I/O level and is ISA99 certified. However, the disclosure is not limited to Ethernet technology. Other remoting mediums may be employed in combination with Ethernet technology or instead of Ethernet technology.

Still another advantage of the mesh architecture of the channels of the I/O modules is the applicability of the design to modular construction efforts. Modular construction favors building process units as pre-fabricated modules including pre-wired I/O modules at manufacturing facilities. The finished I/O modules are then shipped to the deployment site where minimal effort is required to connect the field I/O module to for, example, the control center. Eliminating the need for pairing one I/O module to a single specific controller will streamline the implementation process and reduce time and costs needed. Field devices may connect to a channel of the closest I/O module while still allowing the I/O channel to pair with the appropriate controller.

The system may be configured to provide tools providing information related to the I/O mesh that is configured and in operation. Such tools may provide views and reports showing the I/O mesh. The vies and reports enable maintenance and troubleshooting actions to be carried out with full understanding of the I/O mesh and its impact on the operation.

At a high-level view, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> comprises a system <b>200</b> that includes a plurality of I/O modules <b>203</b> wherein each I/O module is connected to a plurality of field devices <b>202</b> though channels <b>102</b> of the I/O modules <b>203</b>. A channel provides one datum of an industrial process. Process data from field devices or process control strategy instructions to field devices are referred to herein as channels. Channels <b>102</b> are configured in a mesh topology. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. Shows representative field devices <b>202</b> although each I/O module <b>203</b> may be connected through channels <b>102</b> to a plurality of field devices <b>202</b> even if not shown. Hundreds of field devices <b>202</b> may be connected to I/O module <b>203</b> through channels <b>102</b>. Field devices <b>202</b>, are devices for generating process information, or for actuating process units through control of valves, regulators, or other processing devices. Exemplary field devices <b>202</b> can be sensors, actuators, or other processing devices, such as valves, flow controllers and other equipment. The mesh topology allows for signals to and from the channels, and therefore to and from the field devices, to reach a necessary controller regardless of the I/O module a channel is associated with. Multiple controllers may be controlling outputs of different channels that belong to the same I/O module. Similarly, Multiple controllers may be controlling inputs of different channels that belong to the same I/O module. Connections may be though, for example, Ethernet technology or wireless technology.

System <b>200</b> further includes a plurality of controllers <b>106</b>. Each controller <b>106</b> is configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to any one of the plurality of channels <b>102</b> within the plurality of I/O modules <b>203</b>, wherein the channels <b>102</b> are connected in a mesh topology. Just as each channel <b>102</b> represents a datum of a process, that datum is destined for a specific controller <b>106</b>. With the channels <b>102</b> configured in a mesh topology, the specific datum in a specific channel can be connected to the proper specific controller <b>106</b> regardless of which I/O module the channel resides in. In other words, data collected from field devices via channels is available to any controller though the mesh topology of the channels. Similarly, signals or instructions from the controller may be available to any channel though the mesh topology of the channels.

Each controller <b>106</b> generates an information stream for further processing. In some embodiments the controllers <b>106</b> may be arranged with electronic interconnection topologies, such as through ethernet technology. Suitable topologies include, but are not limited to, a ring topology and a star topology. The ring topology comprises an interconnection of the controllers wherein each controller is in communication with two other controllers. A star topology is wherein one or more controllers are interconnected with the remaining controllers. When employing these topologies, it is not required for each controller to be interconnected to all other controllers. In one embodiment each controller is connected to at least one or two other controllers. Using controller topologies such as these, controllers can also share information between each other. Exemplary controllers include an application control system, a field device manager, a remote terminal unit, embedded controllers, programmable logic controllers, virtual nodes, or another device for receiving information and sending instructions to a field device <b>202</b>. The controller <b>106</b> can be operated through a human machine interface, or through a pre-programmed automated system.

System <b>200</b> further includes network <b>136</b>, which can be a supervisory control network, for directing information streams to and from the controllers <b>106</b>. Network <b>136</b> receives the information stream from the controllers <b>106</b> and transmits control strategy information to the controllers <b>106</b>. When a requesting node needs a datum from a responding node, it issues a request for the datum across the network and the responding node then returns the datum back across the network. Network <b>136</b> as a supervisory control network comprises a supervisory control computer and interfacing hardware to enable communication and control between a client server and the industrial plant.

System <b>200</b> can further include a data center housing enterprise controller <b>138</b>, operator station <b>140</b>, and/or historian <b>141</b> for receiving and storing the information stream from the network <b>136</b>. Sorted data can be later retrieved for analysis. Data storage can be a local storage, a remote storage, or a cloud storage.

One or more of I/O modules <b>203</b> or I/O interfaces may be capable of executing level-1 basic control functions. Basic control functions interact with I/O channels and the I/O interface can mesh with other controllers at the same time. Local control and the I/O interface mesh can both coexsist. The local control function is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> as local control <b>209</b>.

With the mesh topology of the channels of the I/O modules, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows connections between controllers <b>106</b> and the channels <b>102</b> of I/O modules <b>203</b> may occur in multiple different ways. For example, connections <b>211</b> show controllers <b>106</b> connected to different channels <b>102</b> of different I/O modules <b>203</b>. One controller <b>106</b> may be connected to multiple channels <b>102</b> within the same I/O module <b>203</b>. I/O modules interface I/O to the system over a network. The network may be, for example, a supervisory network or a private I/O network. A controller connected to network <b>136</b> may be connected to a channel <b>102</b> of an I/O module also connected to network <b>136</b>. A controller connected to network <b>136</b> may be connected to a channel <b>102</b> of an I/O module connected to I/O network <b>207</b> via connection <b>215</b>. An I/O module <b>203</b> having channel <b>102</b> and local control <b>209</b> may have connection <b>213</b> between channel <b>102</b> and local control <b>209</b> of I/O module <b>203</b>.

I/O modules <b>203</b> provide associated channels <b>102</b> with a configured fault state when communication to the upstream controller is lost. Outputs in particular are more sensitive to faults. Previously, where one controller is assigned to one specific I/O module, the fault handling is at the I/O module level. If communication is lost to the controller, all channels of the I/O module would be considered in a failed state, i.e., detecting a communication failure, and engage the failsafe handling protocol as established by the configured fault state. However, with the channels configured in a mesh topology, faults are detected and handled on a per-channel basis and not on an I/O module basis. So, if communications are lost to only one of the upstream controllers, then only those channels of an I/O module in communication with the specific “lost” controller would be considered in a failed state, or faulted, and engage the failsafe fault handling protocol. Other channels of the I/O module would continue normal operational. If a channel does not have an associated control algorithm, such as when communication to a controller is lost, a safety action may be automatically prescribed by the configured fault state to move the field device into a failsafe state. For example, if a fuel valve field device loses communication with the controller, the fuel vale may be automatically shut off. Advantageously, with the mesh topology of the channels <b>102</b>, the fault handling is at the channel level and not the I/O module level.

Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, I/O modules <b>203</b> are connected to a plurality of field devices <b>202</b> though connections <b>312</b>. I/O modules <b>203</b> are also connected to an I/O interface <b>303</b> through connections <b>310</b>. I/O interface connects to a network via <b>304</b>. As mentioned above, the field devices may connect with the channels of the I/O module and the I/O interface all though Ethernet technology such as connections <b>310</b> and <b>312</b>. In another embodiment, information from at least some field devices may be collected though wireless technology and communicated to the I/O interface though connection <b>314</b> and made available to the I/O mesh. In this embodiment, wired and wireless field devices may be supported in the same system. The system may be a hybrid where some of the connections are wireless as shown by connection <b>314</b> for those field devices equipped with wireless capability, while other connections are through Ethernet technology as shown by connections <b>310</b> and <b>312</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> summarizes the interactions and configurations of the field devices, the channels of the I/O device, and the controllers within system <b>400</b>. Field devices generate data streams in <b>410</b>. The data streams are passed though channels of I/O modules in communication with the field devices in <b>420</b>. The channels of I/O modules are configured in a mesh topology wherein all channels are available to all controllers in <b>430</b>. Controllers are configured to receive data from a channel of the I/O mesh in <b>440</b>. Controllers are also configured to send information to a channel of the I/O mesh in <b>450</b>. Information is passed from channels of the I/O mesh to field devices in <b>460</b>.

This system allows for a very flexible architecture where all, some, or no computer equipment or server equipment is located at the physical plant site for the industrial automation system. Examples of suitable architecture types for use with this invention include, Service Oriented Architecture, EXPERION Virtual Engineering Platform from Honeywell International Inc., Open Virtual Engineering Platform, EXPERION DSA technology from Honeywell International, Inc., island-mode remote auxiliary stations, remote fault tolerance ethernet (FTE) process control network capability, robust/secure control communications, and Control Mesh architecture.

While the invention has been described with what are presently considered the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.